News Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser coming to Walt Disney World 2021

[Lets Respect]

I'm going to guess two nights. Check-in, dinner and an activity on the first night, then a full-day adventure the next day, then checkout the following morning.

 

[flynnibus]

On a real cruise ship, the perception is that you are in a constrained space with nothing else.

You are missing the point.. PEOPLE ARE ENTERTAINED. The cruise ship parallel is to show IT CAN BE DONE. People are not doing things because they are locked in... they are enjoying themselves. And thats why they keep coming back. And why cruise ships manage to accomodate families and parties that like different things.

You are so fixated on what ELSE is out there, you won't even consider what is right in front of you.

Do you think only true star wars fans are entertained by something like star tours? Ever consider there is more to a 'space adventure' than just SW characters?

Trying to change the perception of the first to be the second is a huge burden to overcome.

Two youtube videos later... people will be flocking to it.

Again, go back and read what I've written today. This isn't about 1 person. This is about a group going on a vacation. Where not everyone wants to do everything the same

And again... I've pointed you to working models where it can be done and IS done.

I can tell you unequivocally that Disney was marketing this TO THE GROUP - and not just the nerd family in the group. They fully intended to entertain EVERYONE in the group.

The problem is some of you are so shortsighted you think the only way people can be entertained is by being somewhere else.

 

[flynnibus]

The difference is there no logistical reason. On a cruise ship you cant just jump off. Here you are inches away from the outside world... maybe youd have to enter a few doors or something so you didn't break the immersion for the other guests. But youd have lawsuits regardless of what you had them signed if someone wanted to leave and wasn't permitted to. This is way to of a lawsuit country for it to ever fly. Cruise ship on the other hand you logistically cant leave.
But it will be partly like a cruise ship, I figure all windows will be screens, thinking glass windows with screens a few feet away to give it a bigger feel. Everything you need will be at this hotel, maybe even a small drugstore, a few restaurant's, gym (how do you theme that), pool (passengers), a canteena (prob 2 one a true bar one kid friendly), if you don't want to leave the entire trip you don't have to, and you wont see the outside world (there might be overlooking windows to galaxys edge though) or balconies.
And a transport to the park.

My opinion only... I have no real idea

You will be disappointed.

 

[flynnibus]

Much like a cruise, where some people go all in, and engage in the poolside participation games and recreation, gorge themselves at the buffet's, and drink like fish.
Where other people try to go find a less busy nook of the ship and seek out some peace.
Some would argue that the person who doesn't engage in all the cruise offerings isn't getting their money's worth.
But they are enjoying the vacation the way they choose.
They may also be travelling with that full on group, but taking it easy.

Exactly. Disney knows full well that not everyone in the group is interested in participating to the same level... and being able to accommodate that was a big part of the pitch. They didn't want to scare people off with the idea that you are having to do role playing, blah blah blah.

The problem is when people take that to the extreme of making it just a hotel. That's where people are setting themselves up for failure.

 

[drod1985]

The problem is some of you are so shortsighted you think the only way people can be entertained is by being somewhere else.

The real problem is being so shortsighted you think the only way people can be entertained is by throwing all concepts of practicality and flexibility out the window.

Somebody else being able to leave isn't going to ruin your immersive experience, so you can stop worrying about it.

 

[Incomudro]

The difference is there no logistical reason. On a cruise ship you cant just jump off. Here you are inches away from the outside world... maybe youd have to enter a few doors or something so you didn't break the immersion for the other guests. But youd have lawsuits regardless of what you had them signed if someone wanted to leave and wasn't permitted to. This is way to of a lawsuit country for it to ever fly. Cruise ship on the other hand you logistically cant leave.
But it will be partly like a cruise ship, I figure all windows will be screens, thinking glass windows with screens a few feet away to give it a bigger feel. Everything you need will be at this hotel, maybe even a small drugstore, a few restaurant's, gym (how do you theme that), pool (passengers), a canteena (prob 2 one a true bar one kid friendly), if you don't want to leave the entire trip you don't have to, and you wont see the outside world (there might be overlooking windows to galaxys edge though) or balconies.
And a transport to the park.

My opinion only... I have no real idea

I agree that it will be very much like you say. And as for theming a gym... There's no reason to believe that a gym wouldn't be part of the ship that you are on.
Kind of comes back to the cruise ship in space analogy.
Such a "space" ship could certainly have a gym, pool, shops, restaurants.
I don't believe we'd have windows viewing Galexy's Edge, unless perhaps the screens go clear once we reach our destination.
Which is a possibility, as long as the view doesn't encompass an Orlando highway.

 

[MisterPenguin]

See....it's all those logistics that makes me think it is going to be a 1 night experience... Live in the Star Wars Galaxy for 24 hours...then resume your vacation...

I'm thinking an "experience" will be 6 nights max (for a full 7 days of make believe) but stays can be the first 3, last 3 or all 6. And the story will be written so that either stay will have a bit of an arch and finale.

Insiders who can't go into more details at this time indicate that what was on the survey for this event, just a few nights, is the plan. So, a one-day stay or a many-day stay, or a flexible stay, won't even be possible to be booked (unless you pay for two nights and leave after the first, or you book several events in a row and check out and check right back in).

 

[flynnibus]

The real problem is being so shortsighted you think the only way people can be entertained is by throwing all concepts of practicality and flexibility out the window.

Somebody else being able to leave isn't going to ruin your immersive experience, so you can stop worrying about it.

This is coming from the camp that has already decided they don't want to be there.... when they haven't even seen what it really is yet.

Gotcha... yeah, totally practical and thorough this group is...

And you noticed I didn't say people couldn't leave... but people who just want a hotel... they are setting themselves up for failure.

 

[ppete1975]

Realized I made mom look super bad here, and it was grandma before that.

Let's reverse it. Mom is the super Star Wars geek, even more so since the recent movies came out with more women heroes. She would pay $6,000 to do Star Wars all by herself and is already making her costume before construction begins, and that's before even including the kids. Dad on the other hand, we're not sure how mom found him. While he enjoys time with the family, catching up every night with them, and even a few space adventures. The thought of 12+ continuous hours of being "in space" just drives him crazy. The thought of hearing "pew pew" again and again is already giving him a migraine. Lucky for him, he's the only golfer in the family and can use it as an excuse to step out for a round of 18 by himself that's definitely not "in space". Maybe even a round before and after having lunch in space and checking on the family's adventure progress (helping with just a puzzle or two).

Or, he could just ditch the family for 2 nights completely and not see them at all. Makes dad sad to not hear about their day, and drives him to the bar.

Or, he could tell them that they cannot do the Star Wars experience at all, since it's a waste to pay the portion of the price based on him being in the party. This leads to other problems, and the divorce costs far exceed what he would have spent for his portion of the trip even not using it.

Ok your two posts made me laugh super hard. So when you go home today, know that you at least made one person laugh out loud,

 

[DanielBB8]

I expect two nights minimum due to immersion that’s needed for the experience. It’ll also be two nights maximum due to the limited storylines they can allocate per group. Longer stays won’t be possible due to expected demand. It’ll be short and good at the same time. Disney has never disappointed me especially Disney cruises. A full immersive experience will be quite good.

To those that wish to leave, it seems so far fetched. Either they done it before so they don’t feel obligated to stay or they already checked out mentally. With thousands spent, even the rich person isn’t blase. They expect to be catered from the amount being spent.

Since it’s ultimately a hotel, there’s nothing wrong with just hanging out or going out and not doing the role playing. It’s just a themed hotel.

 

[drizgirl]

Certainly.
Disney can't police a family's level of Star Wars fandom.

Sure they can. Guests will have to pass the fandom entrance exam prior to booking. Then their score will be coded onto their magic band.

 

[ppete1975]

Right, sorry. My intention was not to lock the doors to the outside, I like your multiple door idea to leave. But the packaging of it will be to play-make-believe for the entire stay and the more you go with the program (not saying role playing is a requirement, I wouldn't want to do that) but stay within the story, the more value you'll get out of it. I'd worry about getting the park hopper passes for after this stay.

this is why I will never do it, I'm a huge star wars fan.. but I wouldn't spend the kind of the money they are going to ask, and I also wouldn't want to miss out on the other parks and you only have so many days. Maybe 2 nights here 3 or 4 somewhere else might make sense. Id love to see Disney do something like this in another state basically a themed star wars hotel/ attraction sans galaxy edge and place it in the middle of the US. That way the distraction of Disney world (sorry I know distraction probably isn't the right term but I love Disney and it would bother me it was outside) wouldn't affect you, and it would be its own adventure by itself. I think it would do great.. and being all indoors you could put one in Canada, one up north one because the cold wouldn't bother me anyway because id be inside. Maybe put a lot of the VR from the void inside instead of rides.. or maybe star tours like attractions.... this would make tons of money and a lot cheaper than a park

 

[ppete1975]

I think it will look like this

the question is will your door look like this.... and when you put your magic band against the card reader it open star wars style with the shooosh sound from the movies....

 

[danlb_2000]

I think the total opposite. Disney can't create something half way with this. I think it's going to be treated as a cruise ship (or space ship in this instance). There will be set check in and check out days that your ship embarks on. Then there will be scheduled (not mandatory) meals, entertainment, events, etc. Evan like a cruise ship, you can only leave when you reach a "port". Wanna see Wishes...to bad, you're in space tonight. This will all need to be made very clear upon booking and Disney will probably need a triple opt-in or something to make sure guests know what they're signing up for. If this thing ain't for you, then don't stay here.

On a ship, there is no physical way to leave. With this hotel, it will be really hard to tell someone who wants to leave that they can't.

 

[BrianLo]

No one is saying you cannot leave. What I’m actively questioning is people who are fixated on the option to do so. But inevitably we’ll find the same groups who are never interested in tacking on a cruise or Universal to lose out on WDW will never do this either.

As others have said it’s not just a Star Wars RPG, there will be activities for all ages with food and drink for people disengaged with the concept. If Disney cannot entertain people then that’s a failure on Disney’s part and the reviews will reflect that.



I think the honest to goodness actual problem no one is thinking about is not the ability to get out, but the ability to get in. We are talking possibly 150 rooms or less over two nights? Averaging 75 families per day?

Will this be scalped? Will Disney Raise the price until it hits a natural barrier? I think the few people that do this will plan their vacation time around when they secure a reservation 1.5 Years out, not the other way around.

 

[flynnibus]

I took a break from this thread because people keep arguing the same insane things... and now we're back to it again. I'm out.

 

[DanielBB8]

The cruise ship comparison works up to a point. The ship in itself is worth at least $1 Billion with all the food, entertainment, guests, and employees onboard. We are only referring to the hotel suites, some food locations, and some entertainment at the hotel. The other half is Galaxy Edge. You’re already expected to not be at the hotel for many hours while you’re enjoying Star Wars at the theme park. Then when you return, you can interact at the recreational activities or amenities in the hotel similar to Great Wolf Lodge. There’s virtual games, parties, and a swim in the Death Star garbage chute. Great fun.

 

[Incomudro]

The real problem is being so shortsighted you think the only way people can be entertained is by throwing all concepts of practicality and flexibility out the window.

Somebody else being able to leave isn't going to ruin your immersive experience, so you can stop worrying about it.

As long as such an exit didn't reveal

Ok your two posts made me laugh super hard. So when you go home today, know that you at least made one person laugh out loud,

Two people.

 

[GoofGoof]

This ignores the fact that the Disney cruises have Star Wars role playing already. And Star Wars is ultimately a children’s film. Kids are their primary audience with teens and adults second. Despite GE skewing older, the hotel will cater to all ages.

The cruise ship comparison works up to a point. The ship in itself is worth at least $1 Billion with all the food, entertainment, guests, and employees onboard. We are only referring to the hotel suites, some food locations, and some entertainment at the hotel. The other half is Galaxy Edge. You’re already expected to not be at the hotel for many hours while you’re enjoying Star Wars at the theme park. Then when you return, you can interact at the recreational activities or amenities in the hotel similar to Great Wolf Lodge. There’s virtual games, parties, and a swim in the Death Star garbage chute. Great fun.

Your ideas are exactly what I was originally picturing this resort to be. A fun, Star Wars themed hotel with close proximity to Galaxy’s Edge. I spent many pages laying out similar ideas. Others (more in the know about this project) convinced me that this is not the concept. This will not be a Star Wars themed hotel. The concept is a fully immersive, multi-day roll playing environment. The resort is the entertainment. Think murder mystery or escape the room type experiences. You won’t be spending the day in a theme park and coming back for a pool party and/or meal. The concept is you will have multiple “adventures” to choose from and some may involve going into Galaxy’s Edge but the majority will be within the resort. Probably some scavenger hunt type things with missions and things to solve and also possibly some things like simulators or interactive activities where your actions impact the outcome.

I don’t think Disney will ban small children. However, for this type of experience to work well you need guests who are able to comprehend what’s going on and also follow directions. I don’t have any knowledge of actual experiences, but let’s imagine what could be going on in this concept art:

Let’s say the ship is under attack by the first order and you are somehow called to the bridge to assist (maybe they page you) . The windows in the room use screens to “look out” into space and see the attacking ships. That Admiral Akbar looking guy and several other cast members quickly hand out instructions to the crew (guests) and each person has to complete assigned tasks in order to succeed in the battle. There are plenty of kids in that picture but older kids not preschool and under. Now imagine 3 double wide strollers in the room, plus some parents trying to get the Admiral to take a picture with their 2 year old. You can’t complete your mission because a 3 year old keeps pushing the buttons at the station you were assigned to. In the middle of the battle a 3rd toddler has a tantrum and the family has to leave. Now we have nobody to man their station. These are purely hypothetical examples of why I don’t think this works for the preschool crowd or at the very least it takes away from the immersion.

This is why I am skeptical that Disney will pull off the fully immersive environment. They will be unwilling to restrict guests and families and toddlers are their bread and butter. They could always scrap the role playing and just make it into a Star Wars hotel.

 

[DanielBB8]

My feeling is the role playing is an option of many options. Some are more into it than others. I only know the characters casually. Many can choose their adventures.